Rail anchor



Patented June 3, rear tame ice.

PATENT HAROLD G. 'WARR, OF PARK RIDGE, ILLINGIS, fiSSIGNOR-TO THE F. 80 M. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAIL ANCHOR.

Application filed June 25, 1923. Serial No. 647,645.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD G. VVARR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Park Ridge, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Anchors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to rail anchors, and has for its primary object the provision of an improved rail anchor which will maintain a firm grip on a rail, which may be conveniently applied to or removed from a rail when desired, and which will it rails having base flanges of different sizes.

A further and more specific object oi the invention is the provision ct an improved two-piece anchor device consisting of a jaw member and a key or wedge member which together grip one or both edges of a rail base, which are so constructed that either or both members may be conveniently formed from sheet metal, and which when applied to a rail will provide a resilient interlocking engagement of the members, one within the other, so as to maintain the key or wedge member in its applied wec ging position.

The invention further consists of the new and improvedconstructions and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described and claimed, for carrying out the above stated objects, and such other objects as will appear from the following description of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Fig. l is a face view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a rail anchor de vice constructed in accordance with my in vention, showing the same applied to the base flange of a rail.

Fig. 2 is a plan view in elevation of the rail anchor shown in Fig. 1, the outline of the rail base for the purpose or clearness being illustrated in dot-and-dash lines in this figure.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. a is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention; and I r i Fig. .5 is asectio'nal plan view,- t-aken on line 5-5 of Fig. a.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, wherein I have shown one embodiment of my invention as consisting of a jaw member and a key or wedge member 11, either or both of which may be made of spring steel, and which together grip the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base 12. The jaw member is preferably, although not necessarily, made of sheetmetal and-is in the torm ot a yoke having a channel-shaped body portion 13 which extends across the rail base. Vfhen the yoke is made of sheet metal, it is preferably provided at each end with a pair of spaced jaws 14, 1e and 15, 15,

adapted to project over and bear against the inclined upper surface of the rail base 152 at opposite sides of the rail. The jaws at one end of the yoke, for example, jaws 15, 15, are somewhat longer than the jaws at the other endof the yoke, so as to provide sufiicient clearance to permit'the pairs of jaws 1a, 14; and 15, 15 to be hooked over the opposite edges of the rail base. The lower edgesof the jaws 15, 15 are provided with shoulders 16 adapted to abut against th ad acent vertical edge of the rail base, so as to prevent any substantial accidental displacement of the yoke transversely of the rail. The length of the jaws 15, 15, will, ordinarily, depend upon the height and length of the jaws at the other end of the yoke, and also the amount of clearance between the bottom surfaceof the rail base and the upper edge of the yoke body. The body portion of the yoke is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross-section, and is tapered longitudinally in depth and width, so that it is narrower and deeper at one end than at the other.

The key is preferably made of spring metal, and is substantially U-shaped in crosssection. It is also tapered so that it increases in width and decreases in depth toward on end, thereby providing the wedge surface 1'? (see Fig. 1), which cooperates with the corresponding tapered surface 18 of the yoke to effect a wedging engagement of the key between the rail base and the yoke when the key is forced toward the shallow end 19' ofithe yoke. The sides 20, 20 of the yoke being tapered so that the channel portion decreases in width toward the end 21 of the yoke at which the key enters, and the bottom being tapered in the opposite direction, there is formed in effect a pocket-in which the key is held by the resilient gripping action of the member. The resiliency of either or both members 10 and 11, as the case may be, permits the wide portion of the key 11 to be driven through the narrow opening 21 of the yoke. As the key moves inwardly toward the wider and shallower end 19 of the yoke, the key expands so as to conform to the tapered sides of the channel.

With this construction the expansion of the key and also the contraction of the walls 20, 20 of the yoke exert spring, pressure against both members so as to effect a resilient interlocking engagement.

In order to facilitate the entrance of the wide end of the key into the narrow end 21 of the channel of the yoke, the end of the yoke is preferably flared outwardly, as indicated by the reference numeral 22. The entrance end of the key may be, and preferably is, turned slightly inward, as indicated by the numeral 23, so that the key can be easily started through the narrow end 21 of the channel 13.

In applying the anchor to a rail. the pair of jaws 15, 15 are first hooked over one edge of the rail base. The recesses defining the lower edges of these jaws are of sufficient depth to permit the yoke to be moved to the right in Fig. 1, a distance sufficient to permit the jaws let. Lt to be hooked over the other edge of the rail base. The yoke may then be moved to its-normal position as shown in Fig. 1. In this position the channel shaped body of the yoke is arranged against the vertical face of an adjacent cross-tie 24 and the key 11 is forced to its wedging position, as above described. The channel-shaped construction rigidities the yoke longitudinally, but permits slight distort-ion or flexing of the sides of the yoke laterally. The key shown in Figs. 1 to 23 inclusive is preferably relatively short and assumes its wedging position substantially at the center of the rail base. Vhen a key of this construction is used. it may be driven to its wedging position with the end of a crowbar (not shown), or other suitable implement that may be conveniently used as a ram. The wedging pressure against the upper edges of the key has a tendency to force it to conform to the contour of the channel. Vith this construction it will be seen that the key cannot move in the direc tion from which it was driven without itself contracting or effecting an' expansion of the constricted opening 21. of the channel portion of the yoke.v

In Figs. 4: and 5' I haveillustrated another embodiment of my invention in which the key designated 11 in these figures is of substantially the same length as the yoke member, thereby making it possible to ap ply the key to its wedging position without the use of a ram. The yoke and key members of this embodiment are the same as those shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. with the exception that the key 11 is somewhat longer than the key shown in the previous figures. The various parts oi the yoke, therefore, have been designated by the same reference characters as the yoke construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and the parts of the key 11 corresponding to like parts of the key construction of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 have been designated by the same numerals with the exponent letter a.

.Vhile I have shown and described my improved rail anchor in connection with two specific embodiments, it will be obvious from the drawings and the foregoing de scription that other modifications in structure might be made without departure from the spiritof my invention. I therefore wish it understood that my invention contemplates all rail anchoring ,devices coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rail anchor comprising two wedge members having an interlocking engagement one within the other, one of said members being expanded when in its applied position to effect said interlocking engagement and to resist disengagement of the members.

2. A. rail anchor comprising two members having an interlocking engagement one within the other, one of said members being expanded to provide a pocket for the reception of the other member, and adapted to exert spring pressure against the other to resist the disengagement of the members.

3. A rail anchor comprising two wedge members having an interlocking engagement one within the other, one of said members being resilient and adapted to exertspring pressure against the other to resist the disengagement of the members.

4. A rail anchor comprising two members having an interlocl zint engagement one within the other. the inner member being expanded when in its operative position to effect said interlocking engagement and to resist the disengagement of the memhersl' 5. A. rail anchor comprising two members having an interlocking engagement one within the other. the outer member being formed to provide an enclosing pocket for the inner member. being expansible to permit the application of said inner member, and being adapted to exert spring pressure against the other member to effect said interlocking engagement and to resist disengagement of the members. I

6. A rail anchor comprising two members,

one being substantially enclosed by the other and having an interlocking engagement therewith, both of said members being expansible and adapted to exert pressure one against the other to resist disengagement of the members. 7 x

'T. A rail anchor comprising two channelshaped members having an interlocking eugagement one within the other, one of said members being expanded when in its operative position to effect said interlocking engagement and to resist disengagement of the members.

8. A rail anchor comprising two channelshaped members one being movable longitudinally within the other and having an interlocking engagement with the inner walls thereof. one of said members being resilient and adapted to exert pressure against the other to resist the disengagement of the members.

9. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member formed with a channel having a normally restricted opening at one end to provide a pocket and a key member having an interlocking engagement with the Walls of said pocket, one of said members being resilient and adapted to exert spring pressure against the other to maintain said interlocking engagement.

'10. A rail anchor comprising a channelshaped yoke for engaging opposite edges of a rail base, and a key member having an interlocking engagement within said yoke member, one of said members being resilient and-adapted to exert pressure against the other to maintain said interlocking engagement. I

11. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member channel-shaped in cross section and a channel-shaped key having an interlocking engagement within said embracing member, the said key being expansible to resist the disengagement of the members.

12. A rail. anchor comprising a rail base embracing member channel-shaped in crosssection and a key channel-shaped in crosssection adapted to be driven between said embracing member and the base of a rail, both of said members being expansible and adapted to exert pressure one against the other to resist the disengagement of the members.

13. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing memberchannel-shaped in crosssection and a channel-shaped key having an interlocking engagementfwith the inner walls of saidmember, one of'said members being resilient and adapted to exert pressure against the other to maintain said key in its interlocking position.

14. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member and a key member movable longitudinal- 1y of and having an interlocking engage- Sition.

'ment with the other, said members having coengaging tapered surfaces whereby the key may be wedged between the jaw member and the rail 'to effect a gripping engagement of the aw member on one of thebase flanges of the-rail and provided with coengaging surfaces which taper in a direction to resist rearward movement of saidcasing; the jaw member being expansible and adapted to exert pressure against the other of the members, to resist disengagement of the members.

A rail anchor comprising a jaw memher and a key member having coengaging tapered surfaces whereby relative movement of the members in one direction effects a gripping engagement of the aw member on one of the base flanges of the rail and effects an interlocking engagement of the members one within the other; one of said members being contractibletope mit the entrance of one of themembers within the other and adapted to exert pressure against the other member to maintain said interlocking engagement. I

16. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member and a key member having an interlocking engagement one within the other, and having coengaging tapered surfaces whereby relative movement of the members in one direction effects a gripping engagement of the jaw member on one of the base flanges of the rail; the aw member being expansible to permit entrance of the key member, and

adapted to exert spring pressure against said key to maintain it in its operative po- 17. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member and a key memberhaving an interlocking engagement one within the other, and having coengaging tapered surfaces whereby the key may be wedged between the jaw 'member and the rail to effect a gripping engagement of the jaw member on one of the base flanges of the rail; the key member being contractile to permit entrance of the same within the jaw member and adapted to exert spring pressure against said jaw member'to maintain the members in their interlocking position.

18. A railanchor comprising a jaw memher for engaging opposite edges of a rail base, and a key, both of said members having coengaging' tapered surfaces whereby movement in one direction of one member with relation to the other effects a gripping engagement of the jaw member on the rail, said members being provided with coengaging tapered surfaces disposed in opposition to a rearward movement of the key member. "19. A rail anchor comprising a aw member for engaging one edge ofa rail base, and provided with tapered wedge surfaces which diminish in depth and increase in width toward one endthereof, and a key member having corresponding tapered surfaces and adapted to beinterposed between said jaw member and the rail; one of said members bein resilient'topermit engagement of one memer withinthe other and adapted to exert spring pressure against the other to maintain a resilient interlocking engagement of the members.

20. A rail anchor comprising: a jaw member for engaging anedge of a; rail base and provided with tapered wedge surfaces which diminish in depth and" increase in width toward one end thereof, and a key member having corresponding tapered" surfaces and adapted to be interposed between said jaw member and the rail; the jaw member being expansible to receive thekey and adapted to exert spring pressure against the key to maintain a resilient interlocking engagement of the members.

21. A rail anchor comprising: a=j-aw memher for engaging oneiedge'of a rail-base and provided with tapered wedge surfaces which diminish the effective depth and increase the effective width of the member toward one end thereof, and a key member having correspo'nding 'tapered surfaces; the key member being contractile so as to be embraced by said jaw member and cooperate with said tapered wedge surface, and adapted to exert pressure'againstsaid jaw member'to maintain its wedgingiengagement.

22. A rail anchor comprising. a channelshaped yoke adapted to engagev opposite edges of a rail base and a key embraced'by said yoke adapted to be forced'into a Wedging position between said yoke and therail base, the key being ofgreater width at its entrance end than the receiving openingof said yoke, and theyokebeingexpansible to permit the entrance of said key; Y

23. A rail anchor comprising a channelshaped yoke adapted toengage opposite edges of a rail base, and' a key embraced by said yoke adapted to beforced into-a'wedg ing position between said yoke andsaidr-ail base, the. key being-'ot'greater'width at its entrance end than the receiving'opening of said yok and the key being contractile to facilitate its entrance into: said yoke, v 24. A rail anchorcomprisingl a' channelshaped yoke adapted to engage; opposite edges of a rail base, anda' key-embraced by said yoke adapted tobe'forcedintoa; wedgiing position between said yoke and the rail base, the key being of greater width; at its entrance end than the. receivingopeningof said yoke, and the key-being: u-f'shapedf in cross-section so as to yield during its entranceinto said yoke.

25. A rail anchor comprisinga channelshaped yeke memberprovided. at each end with spaced jaws for engaging-the opposite edges of a rail base, anda key member adapted tobeiforced into a Wedgingposition between said yokeandtliezrail;one-9i: seii 7 nee ess members being yieldable to permit the insertion of the key member into the channel portion of said yoke.

26. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member provided at each end with spaced jaws for engaging the opposite edges of the rail base, and with a channel-shaped body portion which decreases in depth toward one end and decreases in width toward the other end, and a key formed at one end of greater width and of less depth than the narrow end of the yoke and decreasing in width and increasing in depth toward the other end; one of said members being yieldable to permit the entrance of the wide end of the key into the narrow end of said yoke.

27, A rail anchor comprising a yoke member provided at each end with spaced jaws for. engaging the opposite edges of a rail base, and with a channel-shaped body portion which decreases in depth toward one end and decreases in width toward the otherend, and a key formed at one end-of greater width and of less depth than the narrow end of said yoke and decreasing in width and increasing in depth toward the other end; the yoke being expansible to permit the entrance of the wide end of the key into the narrow end of the yoke, and adapted to contract to effect an interlocking engagement of said key and yoke as the key is moved towards the wide end of the yoke.

28, A rail anchor comprising a yoke member provided at each end with spaced jaws for. engaging the opposite edges of a rail base,.and with a channel-shaped body portion which decreases in depth toward one end and decreases in width toward the other end, and a key formed at one end of greater width and of less depth than the narrow end of said yoke and decreasing in width and increasingin depth toward the other end; the said key being contractile to permit the entrance of its wide end into the narrow end of the yoke and being adapted to expand to conform to the contour of the yoke when the key'is moved toward the wide end of the yoke.

29.- A rail anchor comprising a yoke member provided at each end with spaced jaws for engaging the opposite edges of a rail base, and with a channel-shaped body portion which decreases in depth toward one end and decreases in width towards the otherend, and a key formed at one end of greater width and of less depth than the narrow end of said yoke and decreasing in width and increasing in depth toward the other end; both of said members being yieldable to permit the entrance of the wide end of said key into the narrow end of said yoke, and adapted to exert spring pressure one'against the other to resist the disens me f Saidmember a 3a A rs-1.1 an h e ep is ns' ok mmher provided at each end with spaced jaws width and of less depth than the narrow end for engaging the opposite edges of a rail of said yoke and decreasing in width and base, and with a channel-shaped body porincreasing in depth toward the other end; 10 tion which decreases in depth towards one one of said members being yieldable to per- 6 end and decreases in Width towards the mit the entrance of the wide end of the key other end, and a key of less length than the into the narrow end of said yoke. yoke and formed at one end of greater HAROLD G. WARR. 

